Melo Villareal
Madrid Fusion Manila 2017
The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently tapped a few of the top Filipino chefs and local farm owners in a lunch organized in a restaurant in Tagaytay. The aim was to showcase Filipino culinary talents and to give a taste of Filipino ingredients and cuisines that will be featured in the upcoming Madrid Fusion Manila 2017 (MFM).
The said lunch, hosted by chef Tony Boy Escalante, was held in Antonio’s in Tagaytay City. Among the invited guests were a few foreign journalists to capture and document the said event.
Some of the chefs who were invited by the DOT to grace the event are MFM starring chefs Robby Goco of Green Pastures (2017) and Miko Aspiras of Le Petit Souffle (2016). Other chefs present in the event are Nicco Santos of Hey Handsome and Josh Boutwood of The Test Kitchen. They used the freshest farm-to-table ingredients and produce from Earthflora, Inc., Teraoka, Earth beat Farms, and more.
Daven Wu of DestinAsian was delighted about the whole Filipino cuisine experience.
“The restaurants we’ve been to and the chefs and farmers we’ve met are such an eye opener,” he said. “Their commitment and enthusiasm are simply amazing.”
Goco as part of the Madrid Fusion Manila 2017
Goco said that he is thrilled to become part of the MFM this year. In fact, he, together with his team, is currently gearing up on his presentation for the upcoming gastronomy congress. He admitted that he is challenged to come up with something novel and new or what is called “next gastronomic sensation.”
Apart from Goco, he will be joined by more talented chefs – Gene Gonzales of Café Ysabel and Jordy Navarro of Toyo Eatery – to give a talk as well as culinary presentation in the event.
In the meantime, Enzo Pinga of Earthbeat Farms, Raphael Teraoka of Teraoka Farms, and Nicolo Aberasturi of Earthflora, Inc. displayed their harvest on the said event in Tagaytay and discussed the booming farm-to-table business in the country.
Just an appetizer
DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said that the event in Tagaytay was only an “appetizer” for the next gastronomic sensation at the MFM’s third run which will be held on April 4 through 6, 2017.
It is good to note that Madrid Fusion Manila 2017 is a joint venture of the DOT, Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, along with Madrid Fusion organizers Foro de Debate and ARUM.
